Tribute to Several Prominent Children’s and Young Adult Authors

According to the Iran Book News Agency (IBNA), this cultural event was held concurrently with the 33rd Book Week of the Islamic Republic, on Sunday evening, November 15th, at Azadi Tower complex, with the presence of Hossein Khoshaghbal, Governor of Tehran, Alireza Zandvakili, Director General of Tehran Province Public Libraries, Akbar Bakhtiari, Cultural-Artistic Manager of District 9, and a group of senior Tehran Municipality officials.

At the beginning of this meeting, Akbar Bakhtiari, Cultural-Artistic Manager of Tehran Municipality District 9 and head of ‘Ruyesh’ Cultural Center, said: ‘I wish the value and importance of books were more than just for Book Week, because we have become accustomed to paying attention to issues only on specific days, and then forgetting them.’

He continued: ‘Understanding their surroundings through books by teenagers and authors’ comprehension of the world of teenagers is important, because when teenagers enter the realm of books, they share in the experiences of others and become familiar with various characters; also, the power of imagination, creativity, fantasy, and innovation in teenagers increases. We believe that books have a stream-like effect, while virtual space has a flood-like effect, and ultimately, books make our children successful and are a magical key for young people to use the experiences of others.’

Then, Hossein Khoshaghbal, Governor of Tehran, while congratulating the pioneers of the book field and those influential in society on Book and Reading Week, stated: ‘Knowledge and reading hold a prominent position, and in family, city, country, and even the world, those who are pioneers and whose opinions and views are attractive are those who read and prioritize reading.’

Referring to the special characteristics of the teenagers present at the ‘Nowjahan’ ceremony in the field of study, he added: ‘We hope that the future of our country, due to your motivation and choice towards knowledge and being thoughtful, will have something to say on the global stage. Today, we have no other way than reading, thinking, and enhancing our knowledge, and today’s war is a war of knowledge.’

At the end of the ‘Nowjahan’ ceremony, Jafar Ebrahimi, Mohammad Mirkiyani, Davood Amirian, Jafar Tozandehjani, Babak Niktalab, Mohammadreza Yousefi, and Mozhgan Sheikhi, a group of prominent children’s and young adult authors, were honored. Additionally, Amirhossein Moghafarati, Atefeh Mousavi, Ghazal Khadem, and Paniz Asl were recognized as young adult authors.